USCGC Polar Star, despite her age is still doing the job.

Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star reaches southernmost navigable waters on Earth

Editors’ Note: Click on images above to view and download photos and video.

MCMURDO STATION, Antarctica — U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) reached the southernmost navigable waters on the planet Feb. 17 while underway in the Bay of Whales, Antarctica.

Polar Star reached a position of 78 degrees, 44 minutes, 1.32 seconds south latitude at 12:55 p.m. New Zealand time, holding a distance of approximately 500 yards from the edge of the Ross Ice Shelf, further south than the current Guinness World Record holder.

While underway, Polar Star sailed in waters previously charted as part of the ice shelf that are now navigable waters. Today, portions of the Ross Ice Shelf deviate approximately 12 nautical miles from the positions depicted on official charts.

During Polar Star’s transit to and from the Bay of Whales, Polar Star surveyed 396 nautical miles of the ice shelf for potential future navigational use.

Crewmembers aboard the cutter are working with the staff at Guinness World Records to officially become the new record holders.

Feb. 7, 1997, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Sea (WAGB 11), Polar Star’s sister ship, reached 78 degrees, 29 minutes south latitude.

In 1908, Ernest Shackleton gave the Bay of Whales its name during the Nimrod Expedition on the basis of the numerous whales he and his crew sighted. Three years later, Roald Amundsen established a base camp in the bay, from which he set out on his successful endeavor to become the first person to reach the South Pole. Years later, U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Richard E. Byrd established Little America in the Bay of Whales during his first, second, and third Antarctic Expeditions, exploring more than 60% of the Antarctic continent.

“The crew of Polar Star is proud to follow in the footsteps of legendary Antarctic explorers like Shackleton, Amundsen, and Byrd,” said Capt. William Woityra, commanding officer of Polar Star. “Even today, more than a century later, we carry on that legacy of exploration, reaching new places, and expanding human understanding of our planet.”

Below is a D14 news release regarding another South Pacific patrol by a pairing of a buoy tender and a Webber class WPC, both based in Honolulu. The pairing is necessary because we don’t have bases in the vicinity that can provide support for the WPC. This pair may in some respects be better than sending a single larger cutter, but the notable missing element is air support, e.g., no embarked helicopter or Unmanned Air System.

U.S. Coast Guard Patrols EEZ in partnership with Samoa

Editors’ Note: Click on images to download a high-resolution version.

HONOLULU — Working with the Government of Samoa, crews from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Juniper (WLB 201) and USCGC Joseph Gerczak (WPC 1126) conducted security patrol operations in Samoa’s exclusive economic zone throughout February 2022, to protect fisheries and other natural resources.

The Juniper and Joseph Gerczak crews helped fill the operational presence needed to deter illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing while Samoa’s Nafanua II patrol boat is down.

“We always look forward to assisting our partners in the region,” said Cmdr. Jeff Bryant, the 14th District’s chief of enforcement. “The United States offered to assist the government of Samoa by providing security and sovereignty operations in Samoan waters due to the absence of their patrol boat.”

The cutters have been underway in Oceania supporting Operation Aiga, designed to integrate Coast Guard capabilities and operations with the United States’ Pacific Island Country partners in order to effectively and efficiently protect shared national interests, combat IUU fishing and strengthen maritime governance on the high seas.

As a trusted partner in the Pacific, the Coast Guard employs 11 bilateral shiprider agreements with Pacific Island Forum nations, like Samoa, to support resource security and fisheries enforcement. These agreements enabled the Coast Guard to aid host-nation sovereignty while patrolling Samoa’s EEZ.

The United States Coast Guard and the Government of Samoa have a history of partnership; in 2019, the Coast Guard cutters Walnut and Joseph Gerczak visited Apia Harbor and conducted patrol operations with officials from Samoa’s Ministry of Police and Ministry of Fisheries on board. In 2021, the crew of the CGC Oliver Berry conducted similar patrols while Samoa’s patrol boat underwent repairs.

“Operation Aiga is named that for a reason. Aiga means family in Samoan and that’s how we view our Pacific neighbors,” says U.S. Ambassador to Samoa, Ambassador Udall. “This is real partnership. Together we can stop those who seek to steal valuable resources that simply don’t belong to them.”

With a population of approximately 40 million people covering an area of 3.3 million square miles, the Coast Guard and its international partners regularly patrol Oceania to protect and support those who call it home.

Maritime Executive reports attacks on at least two merchant ships. Apparently, the Ukrainian coast guard counterparts are still operating.

A Ukrainian SAR vessel reportedly responded rescuing the crew from the water and transporting them to shore.

I have to wonder what is happening to Ukraine’s coast guard counterparts? I think this may be a sample.

“The flagship of Russia’s Black Sea fleet — the missile cruiser Moskva and the patrol ship Vasily Bykov — were reported in the area, according to the Ukrainians.” August 2012 Ministry of Defense photo from Wikipedia commons.

USCGC Legare (WMEC 912) as seen underway for Eastern Pacific patrol in late 2021. The Legare crew patrolled over 12,650 nautical miles through the heart of the Eastern Pacific Ocean in support of Campaign Martillo working in conjunction with Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partnering nations. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Trevor Hammack)

An interesting little post on the Coast Guard’s use of a Navy repair team, Fleet Readiness Center Southwest’s (FRCSW) Voyage Repair Team (VRT).

FRCSW’s VRT artisans repair at least one USCG vessel monthly. The next scheduled repair is in March to the USCG Legare (WMEC-912), also homeported at USCG Base Portsmouth.

Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Karl Schultz visits with Coast Guard crews stationed in New York City. U.S. Coast Guard photo illustration by Petty Officer 1st Class Jetta Disco.

Passing this along for those who may want to see it live. This announcement is aimed at providing information for the media and general public. An earlier announcement was aimed more toward active-duty members.

MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Coast Guard Commandant to Deliver State of the
Coast Guard Address

Editor’s Note: Media attending must wear a mask and have a COVID vaccine card or negative test within the
last three days.

WHO: Adm. Karl L. Schultz, commandant of the United States Coast Guard
WHEN: 1- 3:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022.
WHERE: Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, 15300 Fairchild Dr., Clearwater, FL 33701
WHAT: Media must RSVP at (305) 607-6347 or padettampabay@gmail.com no later than Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 4 p.m. A
government-issued identification and media credentials are required for access to Air Station Clearwater. Media should arrive no later than 12:30 p.m. to set up for the event.

CLEARWATER, Fla.— The commandant of the United States Coast Guard is scheduled to deliver his annual State of the Coast Guard Address, Thursday, at Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater. 

This event will be live-streamed at https://www.uscg.mil/alwaysready/ and on Facebook at https://Facebook.com/USCoastGuard at 1:00 p.m. EST/10:00 a.m. PST.

Adm. Karl L. Schultz will outline the Coast Guard’s role in a time of transformational change within the maritime domain. He will provide his vision for how the Service will respond to meet the Nation’s needs now and in the future. Adm. Schultz will accentuate the dedication and sacrifice of Coast Guard members stationed across the country and deployed around the world.
Adm. Schultz will further highlight the partnerships across the Department of Homeland Security organization, with the Department of Defense Joint Forces, inter-agencies and with our international partners that allow the Coast Guard to meet the demands of today and tomorrow.

Additionally, Adm. Schultz is expected to feature stories of Coast Guard women and men who excelled in crisis, rescued mariners in distress, interdicted illicit narcotics, and responded to the Haiti Earthquake.

Media unable to attend may request a Zoom link to join the media call after the event. 

Detailed Schedule of Events:

1 – 2 p.m.: State of the Coast Guard address
2:15 – 2:30 p.m.: Adm. Schultz will be available for media interviews
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.: Displays and tours of Coast Guard assets will be available
3:45 – 4 p.m.: Media hub call for those unable to attend the event in-person

For more breaking news follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

-USCG-

Photo from http://defence-blog.com/news/photos-charge-of-the-10000-ton-china-coast-guard-cutter.html

CIMSEC brings us a post about the dramatic growth of the China Coast Guard and the emergence of its Gray Zone Operations.

I don’t think you will find anything surprising here. The value of the piece is that it presents the views of knowledgeable bystander, without a vested interest in the South China Sea controversy, The author, “LTC Ahmed Mujuthaba was the Principal Director of the Maldives National Defense Force Coast Guard.”

NavyClippings brings us two reports of new offshore patrol vessels (OPVs). These two are of a size between that of typical “Inshore Patrol Vessels” and OPVs. Neither has accommodations for a helicopter but both have two RHIBs. They are pretty close in size to USCG 210 foot WMECs, 210 ft 6 in (64.16 m) length over all (loa) with a 34 ft (10.36 m) beam.

First there is project Biro for the South African Navy. The three ships being built by Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) are 62×11 meter (203.4′ long, 36’1″ beam, Stan Patrol 6211 vessels), which have a maximum speed of 26.5 knots, a range of 4 000 nautical miles, endurance of 14 days, and a crew of up to 62 (core crew is 40).

Senegalese OPV 58S

The second class being built by French shipyard Piriou, will include three OPVs (with an option for a fourth).

The OPV 58S offshore patrol vessels for Senegal are 62 metres long, 9.5 metres wide and have a maximum draft of 2.9 metres. They have steel hulls and aluminium superstructures with a 360 degree panoramic bridge, a rapid deployment/recovery system for two boats and be each able to accommodate up to 48 people, including 24 crew members. Top speed is 21 knots with a range of 4 500 miles at 12 knots, for a 25 day endurance.

The MBDA Marte Mk 2Ns anti-ship cruise missiles which would be in the canisters visible between the 76mm gun and the bridge are a bit smaller than most missiles of this type.

The Coast Guard and U.S. Navy use controlled explosive dredging techniques to clear roughly 10,000 square-feet taking approximately 6,500 pounds of explosives to clear from December 4-8, 2021. The Coast Guard Cutter Sequoia carried members from the Navy’s Underwater Construction Team Two (UCT-2) to widen the shoal channel which had narrowed due to marine overgrowth. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of the Coast Guard Cutter Sequoia)

Below is a D14 news release. This is just a bit more evidence we are taking our commitments to Pacific Island nations under the Compacts of Free Association seriously. Given their needs, the US Coast Guard has a huge role to play including assistance with Aids to Navigation and fisheries protection.

Coast Guard and Navy complete channel widening in Federated States of Micronesia

Editors’ Note: Click on images to download a high-resolution version.

SANTA RITA, Guam – Crews from the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard Forces Micronesia | Sector Guam improves navigation safety in Kapingamarangi Atoll.

The Coast Guard Cutter Sequoia carried members from the Navy’s Underwater Construction Team Two (UCT-2) to widen the shoal channel from December 4-8, 2021, which had narrowed due to marine overgrowth.

In close coordination with FSM National Government, Pohnpei State, and Kapingamarangi Atoll leaders, the Coast Guard and Navy teams used controlled explosive dredging techniques. The targeted area for removal was roughly 10,000 square-feet and took approximately 6,500 pounds of explosives to clear over the course of 4 days.

“I am proud of the efforts of our crew and the UCT-2 crew in completing this challenging mission,” said Cmdr. Ryan Adams, commanding officer of the Sequoia. “This channel widening will allow merchant vessels to more easily navigate the island, which will provide vital supplies to more than 300 residents who call Kapingamarangi home.”

“The United States and the FSM share a special and unique bond. It is through this friendship that we were all able to accomplish this mission. The widening of the channel will now improve accessibility for commerce and emergency situations especially when responding to natural disasters,” said U.S. Ambassador Carmen G. Cantor. “We know how important this channel is to the lives of the people of Kapingamarangi. As with all citizens of the FSM, we share an enduring partnership and look forward to continuing collaboration going forward.”

Additionally, crewmembers from the Sequoia and the UCT-2 detachment delivered approximately 1,700 gallons of bottled drinking water to the residents of Kapingamarangi while deployed to the island. The water was provided by the Ayuda Foundation, a non-governmental organization based in Guam.

All water was delivered to a remote drop site under a no-contact policy due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.